“Why Arsenal board must not sell Ramsey” Henrikh Mkhitaryan reveals

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Henrikh Mkhitaryan hopes Aaron Ramsey signs a new long-term deal to remain at Arsenal and has described the all-action midfielder as a symbol of the club. The Wales international has less than a year remaining on his current contract and appears unlikely to commit the peak years of his career to the Gunners before the start of the new Premier League season.

Reports earlier this summer claimed Arsenal would look to sell the 27-year-old unless he signed a new deal, while the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona have been linked with a move for Ramsey before the transfer window closes. Mkhitaryan, who joined Arsenal in January from Manchester United, believes Ramsey could represent a vital component of Unai Emery’s new-look team and is desperate for his teammate to stay.

He said: ‘His work rate is very, very high and everyone appreciates what he does on the pitch and off it, because he’s a true professional,” Mkhitaryan said. ‘Of course it’s very easy to play next to him because he tries to be everywhere to help the team – to score goals, to assist, to tackle, recover balls – and that’s why I’m going to be very happy if he stays at the club. ‘I think he’s been with the club for 10 years already and it seems that he became a symbol for this club. I will be very happy for him if he signs a new contract because he’s in the history of Arsenal already and I hope he can become a legend for Arsenal after a few more years.’